Witchcraft & Second Sight in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland / Tales and Traditions Collected Entirely from Oral Sources

by John Gregorson Campbell

CHARM FOR CONSUMPTION.

(Eòlas na Caitheamh.)

This was to be said on a Thursday and on two Sundays. As in the case of other charms, some days of the year were more favourable than others, and the top of the ninth wave should be used in sprinkling the patient:

“Let me tread on thee, tightness,

As the swan treads on the shore,

Tightness of the back, tightness of the chest,

Tightness of the throat,

To strip from thee the foul disease,

From the top of thy head to thy sole,

To thy two thighs beyond,